Page 42 of Ruthless Alpha Beast

When he talks, he sounds so sure of himself, yet also so hurt. I’ve never heard him sound like this before.

I realize how much he cares about his pack and his fellow shifters.

I don’t know why, but I suppose I imagined he was just an Alpha for the perks of the role. Like the shifter version of royalty, and I guess he is, but technically, he’s a good one. He wants to take care of everyone.

Now, it makes a little more sense why he’d be so adamant about pursuing our fake relationship to protect his pack’s interests.

While I completely disagree with their prejudice toward witches and humans—no, a curse does not make all witches evil, nor does our outsider status make humans unsuitable to live among them.

I do agree, I guess, with him doing all he can to take care of those he rules over.

“Do you have any more questions?” He asks.

His voice is soft, not angry nor defensive like I might expect it to be.

“No more questions,” I respond. “We should probably try to get some sleep.”

“Yes, boss.”

I scoff. “Shut up.”

Why am I smiling so much?

“Hey, Tara?”

“Yeah?”

“Thanks for distracting me.”

I turn on my side and gaze out at the moon. “Yeah, no problem.”

***

Wait!

I open my eyes and catch my breath after it felt like I was falling.

Just a dream.

My eyes are weary, struggling to stay open beneath the bright yellow sunshine streaming in through the window.

What time is it?

Then, I realize something else.

Two large arms are wrapped around my waist. Two large arms connected to a large shirtless body.

At first, something inside me relaxes, as though I’ve finally returned ‘home’, or I’ve just stepped into a big, warm bath.

Why does this feel so good?

I turn my head ever so slightly to confirm that the large creature behind me is who I think it is.

Blond hair, long, thick eyelashes like butterfly legs dangling over closed eyes.

Yep.

This is not good.